Abandoned Service Station, Or Hippy Skate Park?

Abandoned Service Station, Or Hippy Skate Park?

“There is a certain, yet odd mixture of beauty and horror when you step foot onto an abandoned property. It’s peaceful, but terrifying.”

Located off the Number 1 Hwy, between Kananaskis Country and Canmore,

there stands a decrepit and modified service station. It is quickly noticed by most of the highway drivers, but only a handful actually stop to take a look. It is definitely well worth the stop.

At first glance, this building looks like an abandoned shell,

devoid of any life whatsoever, and covered in graffiti by taggers and indie artists. What was once a busy station and restaurant in the 60s through 80s, now looks dead, and one would suggest that the building should have been torn down ages ago, or even that it is a potential hazard to passerbys.

However, after stepping inside the building,

it is impossible to deny that the abandoned service station receives regular visits by all sorts of people. Alcohol bottles, beer bongs, and trash all covered the ground, as well as old gas cans, washing machines, and even matresses. Perhaps the most notable part of this building is the two quarter pipe skateboard ramps that had been paved into the foundation.

The backside of the building was much more stunning than the front.

Artwork from every lifestyle, genre, and worldview covers this building from top to bottom. Everything imaginable was tagged on this building. There were odd looking aliens that were pretty sick looking, and there was a raven that was painted a little more realistically with the phrase “shove it” in a cartoon speech bubble.
There was also a giant hole in the cement floor that led to a sub-level basement. I didn’t adventure down there much.

There was much more obscene artwork as well, including many blasphemies, a very rough sketch of a naked woman, and the phrase “BOO BOO KITTY ****” in hot pink on the west side of the building, along with “**** THE POLICE”
There was of course, much more artwork, such as normal bubble letter graffiti, or simple text names.

Of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to tag the building myself,

so I searched my backpack for my jumbo sharpie and drew my Instagram hashtag “#OWUL” in several visible spots.